Liverpool midfielder remains confident that ownership and Benitez will come to a deal: Do supporters agree?

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez and the “dynamic” ownership duo of George Gillett and Tom Hicks still remain at loggerheads over the Spaniard’s new contract. Most agree that the deal hinges on Rafa’s ability to gain more control of the day-to-day operations at the club, as well as control of the youth academy — all things he needs to have a successful club.

But even though things don’t look promising at the moment, midfielder Xabi Alonso believes the two sides will find a way to agree on their difference before the contract runs out in a year.

“The owners and Rafa seem to be involved in a tug of war,” Alonso told Spanish paper AS: “Even if they are trying to resolve it for the better of the club, there is no question in my mind when you have the right man for the job, securing his continuity is important.

“We’ve been through our bad moments but constant change, or change for the sake of it, isn’t a good thing at a club like this.

“It’s a subject between Rafa and the owners and the team must not let it affect us at any cost, but my personal bet is Rafa will stay with Liverpool. (ESPN Soccernet)

Ever since Hick and Gillett came on board, the relationship between Benitez and upper management has become increasingly strained. The call to Jürgen Klinsmann was the first of many blunders by the current ownership, and from that point things have seemed to spiral out of control ever since. But through it all, it still seems like there’s a pretty good chance Rafa will be here next year.

But what do Liverpool supporters think? Do you think Rafa will be here next year, and if so, do you want him at the club if he can’t bring home any silverware this season?